The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-09
REV. G.. @. HADDOOK'S RELIGIOUS
OPINIONS.

of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1t
is not SO widely known, however, that
he was substantially Universalist in
his religious opinions. This fact is
brought clearly to the front in the re-
cent biography by his son, Frank G.
Haddock, and Rev. Mr.. Shook, our pas
tor in Clarinda, Iowa, has made dis
course out of the sons revelations of
the fathers faith, which, when preach
ed June 10, created considerable excite
ment in that city, and was received as
genuine surprise.
Mr.. Shook has kindly placed at the
disposal of THE UNIvERsALIsr, the
extracts from the Haddock biography
in which the Universalism of the la
mented martyr is made clear; and also
the clear-cut and impressive comments
of the son in regard to his fathers be-
hefs. The extracts are too extended
for single article, but we may give
this week MI. Shocks comments, and
the first part of the Haddock selec-
tions. Mr.. Shook says:
That the lamented and honored mar
tyr so universally esteemed and mourn
ed, should be Universalist in his faith,
seems to his orthodox friends incredi-
BILE, il not impossible. He was, prior to
1880, famous as a theological debater,
and was champion against all phases
of liberal thought. He distinguished
himself as debater against Universal
ism, against which he said many hard
things.
But we find at times when free from
the conflicts Of those who were outside
his own creed, that he revealed the fact
that in his soul were germs of faith in
volving the very doctrines he had sought
to defeat. In his Biography on page
SIS, we read Sin an argument with
clergyman on the Fatherhood of God,
he once asked the latter, Would you
forgive child of yours if he came back
and asked your forgiveness p No, said
the theologian, wouldn't forgive some
things. Well, said he, all have to
say is, 1 wouldn't have such God ;
My God is very different being.'"
1t appears that during his first pastor
ate in Ohio, in 1859, some of his mem
bers criticised his pulpit utterances as
unsound on account of which he re
signed. 1t is true that years afterward
at quarterly conference at Waukesha,
Wis, his theology was called to &C.
count. 1t is also true that while he
loved the truth he placed very little
stress upon orthodoxy, frequently say
ing orthodoxy is my doxy; heterodoxy
may be your doxy." "Truth is God"
Biography, page 65.
While at Appleton, Wis, as pastor,
he preached that mo creed ever made
was large enough for him." Page Sc.
From 1880 to 1882, Mr.. Haddock was
settled at Bay View, suburb of Mil
waukee. Here he was entirely con-
verified from belief in the limitations Of
orthodoxy, and led as he says Through
supernatural influences and thorough
and independent examination of the
Scriptures, to become fully convinced
| that Jesus Christ is Gods pledge to the
world of the final salvation of every
human being" The reasons for this
belief, and for discarding the doctrine
of endless punishment, he elaborated
in manuscript volume of about three
hundred pages entitled, "Hell not eter-
NAL" This was kept quiet and held in
reserve till after his cruel assassination.
His son, Frank C. Haddock, has since
written the life of his father and in that
has made a statement of the above
facts with numerous quotations from
the manuscript volume. The Life is
published by Funk & Wagnalls, New
York City.
Mr.. Haddock was a man of great
power, and mighty impulses, and very
naturally for him took some of the ex-
IRENE views as many others have done
in discarding the errors Of the old the
ology, but these he modified.
The great wonder and paradox is,
how could he, led out of the darkness
and bondage of error as he was and by
supernatural considerations and thor
ough and independent examination of
the Scriptures as he says he was fully
convinced, that "Jesus Christ is Gods
pledge to the world, of the final saliva
tion Of every human being" consent to
hold his peace, to smother his own con
victions, remain in the M. E. Church?
Perhaps he was awaiting lull in the
tempest on the great temperance re-
form, the quiet that follows victory.
The unpublished manuscript volume,
an arsenal of arguments in reserve,
would indicate contemplated move
ment at a favorable time. He was
known as liberal" Methodist preach
er. May it not be that Haddock in
this was a sample of all the liberal
preachers in orthodox pulpits ? How
many, if we only knew them, could
surprise us with manuscript volumes
on "Hell not eternal?' Perhaps this an
swers the question "Why don't they
preach hell as they used to ?"